French Film Icon Brigitte Bardot Dies at Age 91

Brigitte Bardot, French Actress and Animal Rights Activist, Dies at 91

Brigitte Bardot, the renowned French actress and singer who rose to international fame in the 1950s, has passed away at the age of 91. The Brigitte Bardot Foundation announced her death on Sunday, stating that she had died “with immense sadness”. According to the foundation’s statement, Bardot was a world-renowned actress and singer who dedicated her life to animal welfare and her foundation.

Bardot’s career in film began in the late 1950s, with her breakout role in the 1956 film “And God Created Woman”, which showcased female sexuality on screen. She went on to appear in over 50 films, becoming one of the most recognizable faces of post-war French cinema. In the early 1970s, Bardot retired from acting and turned her attention to animal protection.

Bardot’s activism sparked controversy, with some criticizing her far-right politics and inflammatory remarks. Her public life was marked by repeated convictions for inciting racial hatred, including a 2022 fine of €40,000. The French actress also made headlines for targeting Muslims and immigrants in her rhetoric.

Born in Paris in 1934, Bardot grew up in a conservative Catholic household and trained as a ballet dancer at the Conservatoire de Paris. She began modeling at a young age and eventually married director Roger Vadim. Despite being hailed by some as a trailblazer for women in cinema, Bardot dismissed complaints about sexual harassment in the film industry.

The Brigitte Bardot Foundation has announced that it will continue to carry out her legacy of animal welfare work.

Source: Al Jazeera